‘Remarkably well-preserved’ 2,000-year-old shipwreck found off the coast of Türkiye ‘Remarkably well-preserved’ 2,000-year-old shipwreck found off the coast of Türkiye

Archaeologists in Türkiye have discovered a ‘remarkably well-preserved’ 2,000-year-old shipwreck off the Antalya coast, complete with hundreds of near-perfect ceramics from the Late Hellenistic-Early Roman period.

The wreck, found at a depth of 33 to 46 metres near Adrasan, carried a cargo of Eastern sigillata pottery pieces, with around 25 distinct ceramic designs identified. To prepare them for transport, the red slip tableware, widely produced in the Mediterranean, was coated with raw clay as a protective layer before being stacked – which has helped them remain preserved beneath the sand even after 2,000 years.

Want to see this remarkable find for yourself? You’re in luck, as Türkiye has just announced that it will begin construction on a Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum in the Kemer-Idyros area this month. In the meantime, the regional Restoration and Conservation Laboratory will work on ensuring the discovery is preserved.

Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, who made a special dive to inspect the shipwreck, said, “Along the stretch from Patara to Mersin alone, over 400 shipwrecks have been identified. These discoveries are not only scientifically important — they also represent major opportunities for tourism.”

The latest discovery offers valuable information about the designs popular at the time as well as production and packaging techniques.

Türkiye has been working to increase the number of archaeological digs taking place across the country, with 765 taking place last year, and a target of 800 annually by 2026.

You can already explore Türkiye’s finds at the Antalya Archaeology Museum and the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

If you’re looking to go diving for yourself, popular spots include Kaş in Antalya, Fethiye in Muğla, as well as Çanakkale’s Gallipoli Historical Underwater Park.

More information: goturkiye.com

Read next: Facing the past: Turkey’s Gobekli Tepe and other ancient sites